US10704764B2 - Light assembly including linear lens - Google Patents
Light assembly including linear lens Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US10704764B2 US10704764B2 US16/323,646 US201716323646A US10704764B2 US 10704764 B2 US10704764 B2 US 10704764B2 US 201716323646 A US201716323646 A US 201716323646A US 10704764 B2 US10704764 B2 US 10704764B2
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light
- exiting surface
- lens
- pipe
- light source
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/04—Refractors for light sources of lens shape
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B19/00—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics
- G02B19/0033—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use
- G02B19/0047—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source
- G02B19/0061—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source the light source comprising a LED
- G02B19/0066—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the use for use with a light source the light source comprising a LED in the form of an LED array
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
- F21V5/007—Array of lenses or refractors for a cluster of light sources, e.g. for arrangement of multiple light sources in one plane
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B19/00—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics
- G02B19/0004—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the optical means employed
- G02B19/0028—Condensers, e.g. light collectors or similar non-imaging optics characterised by the optical means employed refractive and reflective surfaces, e.g. non-imaging catadioptric systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
- G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
- G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
- G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V2200/00—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
- F21V2200/10—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems of light guides of the optical fibres type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
Definitions
- the present invention relates to light assemblies, and more particularly to light assemblies providing a linear or two-dimensional output.
- LEDs light emitting diodes
- LEDs have become an increasingly popular choice for lighting sources due to their high efficiency and long expected lifetime. LEDs however are point sources of light and, as a result, produce harsh, high-glare light patterns. LEDs also can product undesirable shadowing and “hot spots” (i.e. areas of relatively intense illumination) on the illuminated surface. These issues are particularly noticeable and problematic when the illuminated surface is a critical surface, such as a work surface or a product display.
- the light from the LEDs may be mixed before emission from a light assembly or luminaire.
- a variety of methods are available for providing mixing, also known as secondary mixing, and emitting the light in a linear pattern.
- the most traditional method is to include a secondary lens including diffusing optics, diffusing geometries, or both.
- Another traditional method includes edge lighting a light pipe and then extracting the light through a surface perpendicular to the light-injection surface. This method often is used for backlit displays such as LCD (liquid crystal display) screens.
- the aforementioned issues are addressed by the present invention, which provides even light in a linear pattern using relatively few light sources.
- the invention includes a light pipe and a plurality of light sources.
- the light pipe is an elongated, single, unitary piece having a light-exiting surface along one edge.
- the light pipe includes a plurality of lens portions along its length. Each light source is associated with one of the lens portions to emit light into the lens portion and, therefore, the light pipe as a whole.
- the light from the light sources mixes within the light pipe before exiting the light pipe through the light-exiting surface in a linear pattern.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the light assembly according to a current embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view, partially broken, of the area within circle 2 of FIG. 1 , showing one lens portion and one light source of the light assembly;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the light assembly
- FIG. 4 is a plan view, partially broken, of one lens portion and one light source of the light assembly.
- the light assembly 10 includes a plurality of light sources 12 and a light pipe 14 .
- Each light source 12 in the current embodiment is an LED (light emitting diode). Each light source could be virtually any other light source now known or later developed. It also is possible for the light sources 12 to be of different types within a single light assembly 10 . Each light source 12 is positioned to project light into the light pipe 10 as will be described.
- the light pipe 14 may be an elongated, single, unitary, integral piece.
- the light pipe 14 may be fabricated of any suitable material now known or later developed to convey light. As illustrated, the light pipe 14 is generally straight. Alternatively, the light pipe 14 may be curved, angled at one or more points, or otherwise shaped to provide a non-straight linear configuration.
- the light pipe 14 includes a plurality of lens portions 16 along its length. Each lens portion 16 is integral with the adjacent lens portions.
- the light pipe 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 includes fifteen lens portions 16 . Different numbers of lens portions 16 may be included.
- the light pipe 14 includes a light-exiting surface 18 along one edge.
- the surface 18 is continuous and provides an output surface for the collective lens portions 16 .
- the light-exiting surface 18 is generally opposite the light sources 12 .
- the surface 18 is designed to scatter the light in three dimensions. This effect may be accomplished through small geometries such as, but not limited to, facets, texturing, or a secondary scattering material.
- a single lens portion 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4 in conjunction with a light source 12 .
- Each lens portion 16 includes a light injection surface 20 , a pair of reflecting surfaces 22 , a series of redirecting features 24 , and a portion of the previously described light-exiting surface 18 .
- the light injection surface 20 is generally adjacent the light source 12 .
- the light injection surface 20 is concave in a direction away from the light source 12 .
- the light injection surface 20 is configured in a way to absorb a substantial portion of the light emitted by the light source 12 .
- the light injection surface 20 is configured in a way to distribute the received light in a predictable pattern (e.g. to the left and the right as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4 ) within the lens portion 16 .
- a reflecting surface 22 extends along each side of the lens portion 16 (e.g. to the left and the right as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4 ) from the light injection surface 20 .
- the reflecting surfaces 22 reflect or otherwise interfere with the light 26 traveling substantially left and right to redirect the light to travel in a direction generally perpendicular to the light-exiting surface 16 .
- the reflecting surfaces 22 preferably are contoured in such a way as to create an even distribution of light intensity across the light-exiting surface 16 .
- the redirecting features 24 may be voids in the light pipe 14 .
- the redirecting features 24 refract or otherwise interfere with the light 28 traveling from the light injection surface 20 to redirect the light to travel in a direction generally perpendicular to the light-exiting surface 16 .
- the redirecting features 24 and the reflecting surfaces 22 preferably are contoured in such a way as to create an even distribution of light intensity across the light-exiting surface 16 . While six triangular redirecting features 24 are illustrated in the drawings, redirecting features of different numbers and/or different configurations may be included depending on the desired performance and effects. Further, while the redirecting features 24 of the current embodiment comprise voids in the light pipe 14 , the redirecting features could be suitable alternatives now known or later known to one skilled in the art.
- each lens portion 16 may be substantially symmetrical across the projection axis of the light source 12 .
- the lens portions 16 may be repeated in a linear sequence along the light pipe 14 . While fifteen lens portions 16 are illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 , greater or fewer lens portions may be included depending on the application. While the lens portions 16 are illustrated as being substantially identical to one another, the lens portions may vary in size and shape along the light pipe 14 .
- the light (e.g. 26 and 28 ) from the multiple light sources 12 is combined so that the light is emitted as a generally continuous, generally even emission along the length of the light-exiting surface 18 of the light pipe 14 .
- the light emission pattern may be engineered to be a homogeneous distribution in both (a) light density along the length of the light pipe 14 and (b) light directionality along the length of the light pipe 14 .
- the light may be emitted in substantially the same intensity and angular distribution pattern as at all other points along the light-exiting surface 18 .
- the disclosed embodiment includes a plurality of features that are described in concert and that might cooperatively provide a collection of benefits.
- the present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (5)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16/323,646 US10704764B2 (en) | 2016-08-12 | 2017-08-09 | Light assembly including linear lens |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662374211P | 2016-08-12 | 2016-08-12 | |
PCT/US2017/046017 WO2018031613A1 (en) | 2016-08-12 | 2017-08-09 | Light assembly including linear lens |
US16/323,646 US10704764B2 (en) | 2016-08-12 | 2017-08-09 | Light assembly including linear lens |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20190170322A1 US20190170322A1 (en) | 2019-06-06 |
US10704764B2 true US10704764B2 (en) | 2020-07-07 |
Family
ID=61162488
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US16/323,646 Active US10704764B2 (en) | 2016-08-12 | 2017-08-09 | Light assembly including linear lens |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US10704764B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018031613A1 (en) |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030235047A1 (en) | 2002-06-20 | 2003-12-25 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Illumination apparatus for planar display device |
US20050276566A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Keiji Iimura | Surface illuminator using point light source |
US20060139580A1 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-06-29 | Conner Arlie R | Illumination system using multiple light sources with integrating tunnel and projection systems using same |
US20080174715A1 (en) * | 2007-01-20 | 2008-07-24 | Suh Chung Woo | Liquid crystal display including backlight unit and receiving member |
US20090040789A1 (en) | 2006-04-27 | 2009-02-12 | Fujitsu Limited | Lighting device |
US20100002169A1 (en) | 2006-07-21 | 2010-01-07 | Fujifilm Corporation | Unitary light guide plate, light guide plate unit, planar lighting device and liquid crystal display device |
WO2011130718A2 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-10-20 | Flex Lighting Ii, Llc | Front illumination device comprising a film-based lightguide |
US20120313534A1 (en) | 2011-06-08 | 2012-12-13 | GE Lighting Solutions, LLC | Low profile lamp using tir lens |
US9864128B2 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2018-01-09 | Omron Corporation | Light guide body, light emitting apparatus, and amusement machine |
US9903997B2 (en) * | 2014-06-13 | 2018-02-27 | Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd. | Light transmission device, backlight module and display device |
US20180088270A1 (en) * | 2016-09-29 | 2018-03-29 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Lightguide assembly for electronic display |
US10078168B2 (en) * | 2014-10-24 | 2018-09-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lighting unit |
US10094965B2 (en) * | 2014-11-13 | 2018-10-09 | Taiwan Green Point Enterprises Co., Ltd. | Pattern displaying device |
US20180294389A1 (en) * | 2017-04-10 | 2018-10-11 | Cree, Inc. | Hybrid lens for controlled light distribution |
-
2017
- 2017-08-09 WO PCT/US2017/046017 patent/WO2018031613A1/en active Application Filing
- 2017-08-09 US US16/323,646 patent/US10704764B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030235047A1 (en) | 2002-06-20 | 2003-12-25 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Illumination apparatus for planar display device |
US20050276566A1 (en) * | 2004-06-14 | 2005-12-15 | Keiji Iimura | Surface illuminator using point light source |
US20060139580A1 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-06-29 | Conner Arlie R | Illumination system using multiple light sources with integrating tunnel and projection systems using same |
US20090040789A1 (en) | 2006-04-27 | 2009-02-12 | Fujitsu Limited | Lighting device |
US20100002169A1 (en) | 2006-07-21 | 2010-01-07 | Fujifilm Corporation | Unitary light guide plate, light guide plate unit, planar lighting device and liquid crystal display device |
US20080174715A1 (en) * | 2007-01-20 | 2008-07-24 | Suh Chung Woo | Liquid crystal display including backlight unit and receiving member |
WO2011130718A2 (en) | 2010-04-16 | 2011-10-20 | Flex Lighting Ii, Llc | Front illumination device comprising a film-based lightguide |
US20120313534A1 (en) | 2011-06-08 | 2012-12-13 | GE Lighting Solutions, LLC | Low profile lamp using tir lens |
US9864128B2 (en) * | 2013-11-11 | 2018-01-09 | Omron Corporation | Light guide body, light emitting apparatus, and amusement machine |
US9903997B2 (en) * | 2014-06-13 | 2018-02-27 | Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd. | Light transmission device, backlight module and display device |
US10078168B2 (en) * | 2014-10-24 | 2018-09-18 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. | Vehicle lighting unit |
US10094965B2 (en) * | 2014-11-13 | 2018-10-09 | Taiwan Green Point Enterprises Co., Ltd. | Pattern displaying device |
US20180088270A1 (en) * | 2016-09-29 | 2018-03-29 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Lightguide assembly for electronic display |
US20180294389A1 (en) * | 2017-04-10 | 2018-10-11 | Cree, Inc. | Hybrid lens for controlled light distribution |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
International Search Report and Written Opinion from PCT/US2017/046017 dated Oct. 18, 2017. |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20190170322A1 (en) | 2019-06-06 |
WO2018031613A1 (en) | 2018-02-15 |
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